What is Communication? :

10/18/2008 What is Communication? Define
How do we communicate in our everyday lives?
Factors Leading to Communication failures

The Patient & Paramedic Relationship :

10/18/2008 The Patient & Paramedic Relationship Building Trust & Rapport
First Impressions are CRITICAL!!!
Address the Patient Professionally & Appropriately
Use voice tone & inflection to demonstrate concern, confidence and reassurance
Explain your actions and concerns to the patient using words he/she understands
Choose the style of communication most appropriate for the situation

The Patient & Paramedic Relationship :

10/18/2008 The Patient & Paramedic Relationship Building Trust & Rapport
Address the Patient Professionally & Appropriately
What is your (the paramedic) name? Who are you?
Establish eye contact
“And your name sir?
“Hi Sweetie. My name is Joe Bob and I’m here to help”
“Sir, stop giving me sh___ and just listen”
“Sir, What was your name again?”
Be nice, polite and respectful EVEN to those who you feel don’t deserve it

The Patient & Paramedic Relationship :

10/18/2008 The Patient & Paramedic Relationship Building Trust & Rapport
Use voice tone & inflection to demonstrate concern, confidence and reassurance
Calm and moderate volume level at a moderate pace
Demonstrate concern and compassion
Watch your non-verbal communication signals
“Hey partner. I forgot. What’s that drug we should give to someone having a heart attack”?
“Well son, you deserve to get shot if you go around holding up banks.”
“Ma'am. If you don’t want to go to the hospital let me know so that I can go back to bed”

The Patient & Paramedic Relationship :

10/18/2008 The Patient & Paramedic Relationship “Oh it’s just a homeless guy, not a real patient”

The Patient & Paramedic Relationship :

10/18/2008 The Patient & Paramedic Relationship Building Trust & Rapport
Explain your actions and concerns to the patient using words he/she understands
Be honest
Explain, in simple words, why you are doing something
Warn before causing pain
Let the patient know what to expect

The Patient & Paramedic Relationship :

10/18/2008 The Patient & Paramedic Relationship Building Trust & Rapport
Choose the style of communication most appropriate for the situation
A calm, concerned voice generally works for most cases
May need to switch to more authoritative tone and expressions